An elderly woman smiles while performing with a pair of cymbals during a show to mark the upcoming Double Ninth Festival, Oct. 20, 2004. (Xinhua Photo/Xu Suhui)

The Double Ninth Day, dated the ninth day of the ninth month on the Chinese lunar calendar, is a traditional Chinese festival. People began to observe it as early as in the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the traditional Chinese world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence named the Double Ninth Festival (Chong Yang Festival). (Chong means "to repeat" in Chinese.) This year's Double Ninth Day falls on Oct. 22 on the solar calendar.

On the Double Ninth Day, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The day is also known as "Festival of the Elderly." Elderly people are meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on that day.

Source: Xinhua